The End Of Swoop: What's Next?

          On June 9 2023 in a press release that surprised few in the industry, WestJet announced that subsidiary airline Swoop will be integrated into the mainline fleet of WestJet as of 28 October this year. The press release was preluded by rumors that Swoop was to be shut down as part of the agreement reached that prevented the recent strike scare prior to May Long Weekend this year. Indeed, the integration is no doubt part of the agreement between the WestJet pilots union and the WestJet group, however there's some speculation from outsiders that higher ups within the company quietly agreed to axe Swoop as a brand at the negotiating table. Part of the reason the recent strike of WestJet and Swoop pilots nearly happened was due to pay differences between the mainline fleet and the low-cost subsidiary. Some onlookers however wonder what is next for the Boeing 737 aircraft and staff currently in the Swoop fleet. So what's next for Swoop's fleet and staff after operations wind down in the fall? Are some aircraft being sold and staff being kept? Are aircraft being kept and some staff being let go? What exactly does WestJet mean in their press release?

          According to an anonymous WestJet representative who I spoke to today, there's no reason to believe the aircraft will be sold or the staff will be let go. The aircraft will be sent to the paint shop in Calgary at the main WestJet hub to be painted in the older livery found on the currently serving 737-800s in the mainline fleet and have their cabin seating arrangements slightly tweaked to match the rest of the mainline fleet. However it's currently unknown if the 737 MAX-8 aircraft in the Swoop fleet will receive the new livery found on all WestJet MAX-8s or if they will receive the older livery. As for the staff, they will not be out of a job anytime soon- WestJet will keep all of the staff and they will be integrated into the WestJet mainline fleet with their aircraft and a much better pay rate. 

          This should not be seen as a massive hit to WestJet's reputation with its employees and the public however. Many pilots that have spoken to Wings Of The Prairies have voiced concern over airlines that follow the ultra-low cost carrier model of business in the aviation sector, the most common complaint being that skilled pilots are paid poorly for a high skill-set job and low fare carriers could eventually encourage low pay rates across the industry. If anything, the deal to end Swoop and integrate the aircraft and staff into WestJet goes to show that the WestJet Group is willing to listen to the concerns of the people that make the company what it is- indeed a rare quality in an era dominated by corporate giants in any industry. 

         Swoop was founded in September 2017 and began operations in June 2018. The airline was founded to directly compete with other ultra-low cost carriers in the airline market such as Flair Airlines.